I’m getting ready for my first pheasant hunt. 
I’ll be heading down to Iowa the last weekend in October for the opener. Just looking for pointers on what type of gear I need, I have a vest, brush pants, 870 express (ammo??). If you have any pointers for a newbie please pass them along.
Thanks,
Matt
As for ammo I mainly use Federal pheasant forever loads, size 4 and 5’s. They are copper plated and really have great knock down power. If you plan to hunt public land in Iowa lead shot is not an option, must be nontoxic.
What part of Iowa will you be in? I will be down there also in the Spencer area.
A good pair of boots is the single most important thing that you need. If you are going to hunt all day I recommend that you change your socks half way through the day. Good luck
Ron
As for ammo I mainly use Federal pheasant forever loads, size 4 and 5’s. They are copper plated and really have great knock down power. If you plan to hunt public land in Iowa lead shot is not an option, must be nontoxic.
What part of Iowa will you be in? I will be down there also in the Spencer area.
A good pair of boots is the single most important thing that you need. If you are going to hunt all day I recommend that you change your socks half way through the day. Good luck
Ron
One more thing to add, you must have at least one item of clothing that is at least 50% orange. New rule last year. Other than that, we have been seeing a lot of birds down here and it should be a good opener. I can’t wait and neither can my dog. Shes just itchin to go. Also I shoot Winchester Upland Game Loads, i think, whichever are the high-brass ones in either 4’s or 5’s. Early in the year they seem to be a little skittish and wild, they give you a little extra range.
One more thing to add, you must have at least one item of clothing that is at least 50% orange. New rule last year. Other than that, we have been seeing a lot of birds down here and it should be a good opener. I can’t wait and neither can my dog. Shes just itchin to go. Also I shoot Winchester Upland Game Loads, i think, whichever are the high-brass ones in either 4’s or 5’s. Early in the year they seem to be a little skittish and wild, they give you a little extra range.
I agree with Slider……. 
Wait a minute, did I just say I agree with Slider 
!
Single most important thing (besides the a blaze orange cap and vest) is a good pair of boots. I would definitely go Gor-Tex, but after that I guess just like everything else it is a matter of preference and opinion. Ask 10 guys what boot they reccomend and you will get 6 different answers. My two cents would tell you Danner Pronghorn boot. They come in uninsulated, 400, 800, & 1000 gram thinsulate I believe. With out a question, the best boot I have ever worn, that gives my feet for all day support that I demand from my boots and my feet, with leaving my feet feeling good and no blisters. I had researched this about a year a go and tried on a gazillion different boots and these were the ones that fit best for me hands down 
After a full year use, Pheasant Hunting, Deer Hunting, Mule Deer hunting in the Black Hills, and coyote hutning, I’m very satisfied with this boot and it has performed way better than I thought possible!
Other than that I also shoot Fedral Premium No. 4 and 6 depending on the situation and how the birds are holding.
You are going to have a blast 
I agree with Slider……. Wait a minute, did I just say I agree with Slider !
Single most important thing (besides the a blaze orange cap and vest) is a good pair of boots. I would definitely go Gor-Tex, but after that I guess just like everything else it is a matter of preference and opinion. Ask 10 guys what boot they reccomend and you will get 6 different answers. My two cents would tell you Danner Pronghorn boot. They come in uninsulated, 400, 800, & 1000 gram thinsulate I believe. With out a question, the best boot I have ever worn, that gives my feet for all day support that I demand from my boots and my feet, with leaving my feet feeling good and no blisters. I had researched this about a year a go and tried on a gazillion different boots and these were the ones that fit best for me hands down After a full year use, Pheasant Hunting, Deer Hunting, Mule Deer hunting in the Black Hills, and coyote hutning, I’m very satisfied with this boot and it has performed way better than I thought possible!
Other than that I also shoot Fedral Premium No. 4 and 6 depending on the situation and how the birds are holding.
You are going to have a blast
Quote:
I agree with Slider…….
I feel for you Lip 
Ron
Quote:
I agree with Slider…….
I feel for you Lip
Ron
Tell me more about non-toxic shot rules on public land. I could not find it in the Iowa hunting guide. Thanks.
Tell me more about non-toxic shot rules on public land. I could not find it in the Iowa hunting guide. Thanks.
I found this so far. I do know that we got stopped two years ago and had to empty our pocket and vests to show that we had no lead with us.
Click here It is the 7th question down, you are right though I cannot find it in the regs. I will dig a little deeper latter.
Ron
I found this so far. I do know that we got stopped two years ago and had to empty our pocket and vests to show that we had no lead with us.
Click here It is the 7th question down, you are right though I cannot find it in the regs. I will dig a little deeper latter.
Ron
Throw a bottle of water in your game vest. Some of those drives get mighty long.
Throw a bottle of water in your game vest. Some of those drives get mighty long.
On the blaze orange requirement, you cannot wear orange that is orage camo-must be solid orange. Had a warden talk to us during deer season and clarified it.
I like the remington Nitro 3″ with #4 or #6. Know what range the bird is and wait if they get up close or you may have a little pheasant hamburger.
On the blaze orange requirement, you cannot wear orange that is orage camo-must be solid orange. Had a warden talk to us during deer season and clarified it.
I like the remington Nitro 3″ with #4 or #6. Know what range the bird is and wait if they get up close or you may have a little pheasant hamburger.
I found some more here. Basically is says this:
Nontoxic Shot – Beginning Sept. 1, 1998, hunters will be required to use, and can possess, only nontoxic shot while hunting migratory game birds, resident game birds, game animals, or furbearers (excluding deer and wild turkey) on all federally-owned Waterfowl Production Areas and certain state-owned Wildlife Management Areas.
What I cannot find is the listings of what WMA’s is included.
Ron
I found some more here. Basically is says this:
Nontoxic Shot – Beginning Sept. 1, 1998, hunters will be required to use, and can possess, only nontoxic shot while hunting migratory game birds, resident game birds, game animals, or furbearers (excluding deer and wild turkey) on all federally-owned Waterfowl Production Areas and certain state-owned Wildlife Management Areas.
What I cannot find is the listings of what WMA’s is included.
Ron
I remembered one more important thing about pheasant hunting. The birds are big and the long tail feathers draw peoples eyes to them. It is easy to shoot at the tail feathers. Remember that as you are getting ready to shoot. As you swing the gun through the bird and think tail, body, beak, bang. Or do what I do and concentrate only on the white ring around the neck.
Ron
I remembered one more important thing about pheasant hunting. The birds are big and the long tail feathers draw peoples eyes to them. It is easy to shoot at the tail feathers. Remember that as you are getting ready to shoot. As you swing the gun through the bird and think tail, body, beak, bang. Or do what I do and concentrate only on the white ring around the neck.
Ron
I can not find it in this years regs but I did find this in last years regs:
Iowa Wildlife Management Areas
Requiring Nontoxic Shot for All
Hunting
(excluding deer and wild turkey)
Benton County, Iowa River
Corridor; Boone County, Harrier
Marsh WMA; Buena Vista
County, all state and federal areas
except Bluebird Access; Calhoun,
South Twin Lake; Cerro Gordo
County, all state and federal areas;
Clay County, all state and federal
areas except Burr Access, Dry
Mud Lake, Little Sioux, Highbridge
and Fen Valley WMAs, and the
Ocheyedan WMA target shooting
range; Dickinson County, all state
and federal areas except the Spring
Run WMA target shooting area;
Emmet County, all state and
federal areas except Birge Lake,
Grass Lake and Ryan Lake WMAs,
and the East Des Moines River
Access; Franklin County, all state
and federal areas; Greene County,
all state and federal areas except
Rippey Access and McMahon
Access; Guthrie County, McCord
Pond, Lakin Slough and Bays Branch
WMAs, excluding the target shooting
range at Bays Branch WMA.
Also, Hamilton County, Little
Wall Lake, Gordon Marsh and Bauer
Slough WMAs; Hancock County, all
state and federal areas; Humboldt
County, all state and federal areas
except Bradgate Access and Willows
Access; Iowa County, Iowa River
Corridor; Jasper County, Chichaqua
Wildlife Management Area; Kossuth
County, all state and federal areas
except Seneca Access; Osceola
County, all state and federal areas;
Palo Alto County, all state and
federal areas; Pocahontas
County, all state and federal areas
except Kalsow Prairie; Polk
County, Paul Errington Marsh
WMA and Chichaqua WMAs; Sac
County, all state and federal areas
except White Horse Access and
Sac City Access; Tama County,
Iowa River Corridor; Winnebago
County, all state and federal areas;
Worth County, all state and
federal areas; and Wright County,
all state and federal areas.
Target shooting on these
areas will also require the use of
nontoxic shot.
Ron
I can not find it in this years regs but I did find this in last years regs:
Iowa Wildlife Management Areas
Requiring Nontoxic Shot for All
Hunting
(excluding deer and wild turkey)
Benton County, Iowa River
Corridor; Boone County, Harrier
Marsh WMA; Buena Vista
County, all state and federal areas
except Bluebird Access; Calhoun,
South Twin Lake; Cerro Gordo
County, all state and federal areas;
Clay County, all state and federal
areas except Burr Access, Dry
Mud Lake, Little Sioux, Highbridge
and Fen Valley WMAs, and the
Ocheyedan WMA target shooting
range; Dickinson County, all state
and federal areas except the Spring
Run WMA target shooting area;
Emmet County, all state and
federal areas except Birge Lake,
Grass Lake and Ryan Lake WMAs,
and the East Des Moines River
Access; Franklin County, all state
and federal areas; Greene County,
all state and federal areas except
Rippey Access and McMahon
Access; Guthrie County, McCord
Pond, Lakin Slough and Bays Branch
WMAs, excluding the target shooting
range at Bays Branch WMA.
Also, Hamilton County, Little
Wall Lake, Gordon Marsh and Bauer
Slough WMAs; Hancock County, all
state and federal areas; Humboldt
County, all state and federal areas
except Bradgate Access and Willows
Access; Iowa County, Iowa River
Corridor; Jasper County, Chichaqua
Wildlife Management Area; Kossuth
County, all state and federal areas
except Seneca Access; Osceola
County, all state and federal areas;
Palo Alto County, all state and
federal areas; Pocahontas
County, all state and federal areas
except Kalsow Prairie; Polk
County, Paul Errington Marsh
WMA and Chichaqua WMAs; Sac
County, all state and federal areas
except White Horse Access and
Sac City Access; Tama County,
Iowa River Corridor; Winnebago
County, all state and federal areas;
Worth County, all state and
federal areas; and Wright County,
all state and federal areas.
Target shooting on these
areas will also require the use of
nontoxic shot.
Ron
The blaze orange requirements are different for upland birds and deer. I would just suggest wearing a solid orange hat for pheasant hunting so you don’t give the DNR an excuse to want to write you a ticket. A hat won’t suffice during deer season in Iowa but it will for pheasant hunting.
The blaze orange requirements are different for upland birds and deer. I would just suggest wearing a solid orange hat for pheasant hunting so you don’t give the DNR an excuse to want to write you a ticket. A hat won’t suffice during deer season in Iowa but it will for pheasant hunting.
Thanks for all the information guys. I’ll be in Grinnell for the opener. I bought a solid orange vest, and I’ll pick up a hat, so I should be all set in the orange department. The only remaining item I need to take care of is getting a duplicate WI hunters safety card. Or at least my #, I hear Iowa requires this to get a license.
Matt
Thanks for all the information guys. I’ll be in Grinnell for the opener. I bought a solid orange vest, and I’ll pick up a hat, so I should be all set in the orange department. The only remaining item I need to take care of is getting a duplicate WI hunters safety card. Or at least my #, I hear Iowa requires this to get a license.
Matt
Thanks for all the leg work Ron. I’ll be taking some steel with me just in case.
Thanks for all the leg work Ron. I’ll be taking some steel with me just in case.
I think that gun safety certification is if you are born after Jan 1, 1967.
Ron
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